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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19980203 APPROVED 10/20/98 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING February 3, 1998 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Judge F. Gordon Battle Superior Courtroom in the County Courthouse, 106 E. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Margaret W. Brown and Commissioners Moses Carey, Jr., William L. Crowther, Alice M. Gordon and Stephen H. Halkiotis. COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Managers Rod Visser and Albert Kittrell and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) .NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. ALL RECORDING TAPES OF THE MEETING WILL BE KEPT FOR FIVE (5) YEARS. 1. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA The County Commissioners added as item 9i a waiver for conflicts of interest that Robert M. Jessup's representation may present in his role as representing the County and the Orange County Community Activity Corporation. 2. CITIZEN &AUDIENCE COMMENTS a. Matters on the Printed Agenda b. Matters not on the Printed Agenda Mr. Alois Callemyn said that he is representing a group of businessmen. They are concerned about the Economic Development Department since Ted Abernathy has resigned as Director. He presented a folder of letters from small and large businesses in the area who would like to talk with the Board of County Commissioners about how to facilitate the change in leadership and how they can help in that process. He said that they have a great belief in the future of the EDC and want to see it continued. PUBLIC CHARGE Chair Margaret Brown dispensed with the reading of the public charge. 3. BOARD COMMENTS Commissioner Halkiotis said that he is impressed with the new brochure on the 911 services. He asked how the information would be distributed. Chair Margaret Brown said that they are thinking of putting it in the envelope with the tax bill. Commissioner Halkiotis suggested that something with respect to septic tanks and animal control also be put in the same envelope. Commissioner Halkiotis commended Mr. Gibbs who heads the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program at Orange High School. He mentioned the livestock show that is held each Spring in this county and suggested asking other counties that participate in the event to help finance the program. He said that it costs about $18,000 each year to run the program and he suggested that Orange County consider allocating $6,000 for the program and consider asking other counties to each allocate $600. Additional information will be forthcoming on this item. Commissioner Gordon noted that this meeting room has been named the Judge F. Gordon Battle Superior Courtroom and in the future it needs to be referred to by that name. Also, she noted the Board of County Commissioners had a joint meeting with the Town of Chapel Hill which she found to be worth while, very enjoyable and friendly. 4. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT John announced the retirement of Planning Director Marvin Collins, effective the end of February. He distributed a press release with additional information on his accomplishments during his tenure. He emphasized that Marvin has shown great dedication, professionalism and vision for the County. He sited the major areas of his contributions. He proposed that in selecting a replacement that he establish an assessment process with Personnel Director Elaine Holmes which will include a representative from the Board of County Commissioners. He also suggested that this same kind of assessment process be used for the Economic Development Director. The Board decided that Commissioners Brown and Gordon would serve on the assessment team for the Planning Director and that Commissioners Brown and Crowther would serve on the assessment team for the Economic Development Director. 5. RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS - NONE 6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS - NONE 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE 8. ITEMS FOR DECISION - CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve those items on the Consent Agenda as listed below: a. Appointments The Board appointed Jodi Riley to the Orange County Arts Commission for a term ending March 31, 1999. b. Minutes The Board approved minutes from its October 21 regular meeting and November 24 quarterly public hearing. C. Advertisements of tax liens on real property for failure to pay taxes The Board considered and authorized the Chair to sign an order as stated below and to set the lien advertisement date for March 11: ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH G.S. 105-369 State of North Carolina County of Orange To Ginger B. Rolfe, Tax Collector of Orange County You are hereby authorized, empowered, and commanded to advertise tax liens on real property for failure to pay 1997 taxes. You shall advertise said liens by posting a notice of the liens at the county courthouse and by publishing each lien at least one time in one or more newspapers having general circulation in the taxing unit. Advertisement of the tax liens shall be made on Wednesday, March 11, 1998. This order shall be a full and sufficient authority to direct, require, and enable you to advertise said tax liens in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 105-369. This was signed by Chair Margaret W. Brown and attested by Clerk Beverly A. Blythe d. Application for 1997 property tax exemptions In accordance with the Exempt Status Resolution approved by the Board of County Commissioners on January 20, 1998, the board considered and granted two exemptions from ad valorem taxes for the 1997 tax year and authorized the Chair to sign. e. Property tax refunds The County Commissioners approved requests for tax refund as listed below in accordance with N.C. General Statutes 105-381 and the Refund Resolution as approved by the Board on September 16, 1997: Name Account Nbr. Amount Refunded Suiter, James Battle, Jr. E36795 $ 41.27 Ritz Peter Gerald E20480 73.81 First Union National Bank of NC D95177 67.08 Ehrhardt Richard Alfred D47986 87.06 GECAL E10726 271.46 James D. MacFarquhar 181734 Disapproved 344.60 f. Jail inspection report The Board received a report on an inspection of the Orange County jail conducted January 16 by the N.C. Department of Human Resources. _q. COPSFAST grant award The Board considered and accepted grants from the U.S. Department of Justice COPSFAST Program and adopted a grant project ordinance which authorizes the addition of six full-time equivalent positions, effective December 1, 1997 in the Sheriff's Department. The grant project ordinance is attached to theses minutes on page h. Service Contract - Center for Employment Training The Board considered and authorized the Chair to sign a contract with the Center for Employment Training in the Research Triangle Park for Orange County Work First participants. VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: UNANIMOUS 9. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA a. Revised County Capital Policy The Board considered adopting revisions to the County's policies on funding for school and County capital projects and debt service. Rod Visser distributed a revised version of the policy. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve the revised County capital policy as distributed. VOTE: UNANIMOUS b. Computerized information and referral system - Orange Resource Connection The Board considered authorizing staff to request proposals from the Orange County Clerk's Office, the Triangle United Way and the UNC Department of Social Work for operating the information and referral system. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the key elements of the computerized information and referral system as submitted and renumbered, to authorize staff to request implementation proposals from the three interested agencies and to recommend a method of operating the system at the May 5, 1998 Board meeting. VOTE: UNANIMOUS C. Advertisement for Feb. 23 quarterly public hearing The Board considered authorizing advertisement of the scheduled Feb. 23 quarterly public hearing to discuss the proposed living wage ordinance; a proposed zoning atlas amendment; a proposed zoning ordinance text amendment; and a requested Class A special use permit. The County Commissioners asked several questions about the parking and sewer line for the proposed Credit Union on old 86. These will be answered prior to the public hearing. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve the advertisement as presented. VOTE: UNANIMOUS d. Bid award - heating and air conditioning system replacement, Government Services Center annex The Board considered awarding a contract to Warren-Hay Mechanical Contractors for replacement of the heating and air conditioning system in the Government Services Center Annex in an amount not to exceed $99,900. Purchasing Director Pam Jones summarized this item. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to award a contract to Warren-Hay Mechanical Contractors for replacement of the heating and air conditioning system in the Government Services Center Annex. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Note: Two additional bids were received from Carolina Air Conditioning for $147,980 and from North Carolina Mechanical for$167,300. e. Change order approval -additional funds for Southern Human Services Center Turn Lane The Board considered a change order authorizing funds for mitigation of unsuitable soil associated with the left-turn lane at the Southern Human Services Center. The projected amount is $12,000. John Link explained the situation which has created the need to request an additional $12,000 for this turn lane. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve the change order in an amount not to exceed $12,000; and appropriate funds from County Capital fund balance to support the expense. VOTE: UNANIMOUS f. Authorization to purchase furniture for Southern Human Services Center The Board considered appropriating $119,419 to purchase furniture and equipment for the Southern Human Services Center. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to authorize the purchase of items pursuant to the list attached to the abstract and to authorize the Purchasing Director to execute paperwork supporting the purchases. VOTE: UNANIMOUS g, Authorization to purchase phone system for Southern Human Services Center The Board considered appropriating $101,016 for lease/purchase and five-year operational cost for telephone equipment at the Southern Human Service Center. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to authorize the lease/purchase of the phone system for the Southern Human Services Center; and to authorize the Purchasing Director to execute the necessary documents, contingent upon attorney and staff review. VOTE: UNANIMOUS h. Letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Commissioner Gordon said that the new Transportation Secretary has been given a timeline to come up with an approach for his department. She suggested we send a letter of congratulations and start a dialogue to assure our participation. The Board approved sending a letter. I. Waiver -conflicts of Interest This item was added to the agenda. Geoffrey Gledhill said that attorney Robert M. Jessup has worked for Orange County doing special projects. He has been requested to represent the Sportsplex which may be a conflict of interest. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve a waiver for conflicts of interest that Robert M. Jessup's representation may present in his role representing the County and the Orange County Community Activity Corporation in the negotiations and transactions involving the transfer of ownership and control of the Sportsplex. VOTE: UNANIMOUS (Commissioner Gordon stated she is very uneasy about voting in the affirmative) 10. REPORTS a. Orange County debt management policy The Board reviewed a draft debt management policy Finance Director Ken Chavious summarized this draft policy. This was presented for information and will come back for Board consideration of approval at a later date. b. Justice Facilities Study Group Follow-up The Board heard a report from the Justice Facility Study Group and considered appointing a committee to review key points and report back to the Board. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to receive the information as presented and appoint the following members to a committee which will review and report back to the Board their findings by August 31, 1998: Resident Superior Court Judge Wade Barber Chief District Court Judge Joe Buckner District Attorney Carl Fox Sheriff Lindy Pendergrass Clerk to the Court Joan Terry District 15B Bar Association President, or designee County Manager and others he may designate VOTE: UNANIMOUS 11. APPOINTMENTS The Board considered one appointment to the Horace Williams Airport Committee. A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Chair Brown to appoint Diane Bloom to serve on this committee: VOTE: AYES, 4; NOS, 1 (Commissioner Crowther voted no because he would like to advertise for additional candidates that may be interested in serving on this Committee) 12. MINUTES- NONE 13. ADJOURNMENT With no further items for the Board to consider, a motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Carey to adjourn the meeting. The next regular meeting will be held on February 10, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. in the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom in Hillsborough. Margaret W. Brown, Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk